There’s a lot to figure out when it comes to the future of the Philadelphia 76ers. One of the biggest topics will remain the potential for the team to add a third star next to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

But it seems as though the relationship between Embiid and Simmons may actually have a huge impact on the Sixers’ pursuit of top talent in free agency. On the most recent episode of ESPN analyst Adrian Wojnarowski’s ‘The Woj Pod,’ he was joined by fellow analyst Zach Lowe and the Sixers were a topic of conversation.

The duo broke down a wide range of things, but one that stood out was how the Embiid-Simmons relationship will play a role in Philly bringing in a top-tier free agent.

“They’re in position to go into free agency next summer, like they were this summer and try to sign an elite free agent. I think for them the challenge will be – players who consider Philly, they’re going to want to know this – are Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, are they attached? Is that relationship where it needs to be? Is that partnership where it needs to be?.” Wojnarowski stated.

“If you’re going to be the third guy coming in, you don’t want walk into something where you’re in the middle of something … I think they would all agree they’re not close and you don’t have to be close, but it has to be a really good working partnership.”

Later in the podcast, Wojnarowski went on to state that having Simmons and Embiid “connected” will be what results in the Sixers landing a third star in free agency.

It makes sense, and while there’s been quite a bit of talk about the relationship between the two stars, there’s also been nothing on the court that’s been cause for concern. From the outside, it almost seems as though some have an issue with the fact that the duo doesn’t hang out in the offseason and warm up together ahead of games.

On the floor, though, Simmons and Embiid have coexisted just fine for the most part. And in the eyes of a potential free agent, I’d have to assume the talent these two have and especially their upside together is a major selling point.